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Isaimozhi
Pillaiyo Pillai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Moondru Tamizh

From Pillaiyo Pillai · 1972

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Pillaiyo Pillai
Movie release year
1972
Lyrics added on
8 Feb 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Moondru tamil thondriyathum unnidamo
Moondru tamil thondriyathum unnidamo
Nee moovendhar vazhi vantha mannavano
Nee moovendhar vazhi vantha mannavano
Naangu gunam saernthathum orr pennidamo
Adhu nadai pazhagi vanthathenna ennidamo
Naangu gunam saernthathum orr pennidamo
Adhu nadai pazhagi vanthathenna ennidamo
Adhu nadai pazhagi vanthathenna ennidamo ennidamo
Naangu gunam saernthathum orr pennidamo
Uthithathu paar sengathithaan keezh dhisaiyil
Adhan olivellaam paainththu paar vaanveliyil
Uthithathu paar sengathithaan keezh dhisaiyil
Adhan olivellaam paainththu paar vaanveliyil
Female :Kadhir polae naan kandaen mannan mugam
Adhan oliyaalae malarum
Naan sengamalam sengamalam
Moondru tamil thondriyathum unnidamo
Female :Nee moovendhar vazhi vantha
Mannavano mannavano….
Pani mazhaiyil nanainthathenna malar vizhigal
Unnai paarkkaiyilae pesidumo kilimozhigal
Pani mazhaiyil nanainthathenna malar vizhigal
Unnai paarkkaiyilae pesidumo kilimozhigal
Iru kanigal kaaithathenna oru kodiyil
Adhu virunthenavae thavazhnthathenna en madiyil
Adhu virunthenavae thavazhnthathenna en madiyil en madiyil
Female: Moondru tamil thondriyathum unnidamo
Ila nagaithaan nee ezhuthum sirukathaiyo
Adhan idai thondrum naanamthaan munnuraiyo
Ila nagaithaan nee ezhuthum sirukathaiyo
Adhan idai thondrum naanamthaan munnuraiyo
Idam thanthaal nadappathellaam thodarkathaiyo
Antha ilakkiyaththil vidinthaalthaan mudivuraiyo
Naangu gunam saernthathum orr pennidamo
Adhu nadai pazhagi vanthathenna ennidamo
Adhu nadai pazhagi vanthathenna ennidamo ennidamo
Moondru tamil thondriyathum unnidamo
Nee moovendhar vazhi vantha mannavano
Nee moovendhar vazhi vantha mannavano….mannavano….
Did the three forms of Tamil originate from you?
Did the three forms of Tamil originate from you?
Are you a king descended from the three great rulers?
Are you a king descended from the three great rulers?
Did the four virtues come together in one woman?
And did they learn to walk and come right to me?
Did the four virtues come together in one woman?
And did they learn to walk and come right to me?
And did they learn to walk and come right to me, to me?
Did the four virtues come together in one woman?
Look, the morning sun has risen in the east,
and see its light spread across the open sky.
Look, the morning sun has risen in the east,
and see its light spread across the open sky.
Like that sun, I see my king's glowing face,
and in its light, I blossom
as a red lotus, a red lotus.
Did the three forms of Tamil originate from you?
Are you descended from the three great rulers,
my king, oh my king?
Why are your flower-like eyes soaked in morning dew?
When looking at you, will sweet words speak like a parrot?
Why are your flower-like eyes soaked in morning dew?
When looking at you, will sweet words speak like a parrot?
How did two fruits blossom on a single vine?
And how did they crawl into my lap like a joyful feast?
And how did they crawl into my lap like a joyful feast, into my lap?
Did the three forms of Tamil originate from you?
Is your gentle smile a short story you write?
And is the shyness rising in it the preface?
Is your gentle smile a short story you write?
And is the shyness rising in it the preface?
If room is given, will everything that follows be a continuing story?
And in that work of literature, will dawn bring the final chapter?
Did the four virtues come together in one woman?
And did they learn to walk and come right to me?
And did they learn to walk and come right to me, to me?
Did the three forms of Tamil originate from you?
Are you a king descended from the three great rulers?
Are you a king descended from the three great rulers, oh my king?
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic romantic duet from the film 'Pillaiyo Pillai' celebrates deep romantic admiration using classic Tamil literary tropes. The lovers praise each other by comparing their beauty, character, and royal demeanour to Tamil literature, royal dynasties, and elements of nature. The male lead marvels at the heroine's grace, comparing her virtues to Tamil literature ('Moondru Tamil' - Iyal, Isai, Nadagam) and the four traditional womanly virtues ('Naangu Gunam' - Acham, Madam, Naanam, Payirppu). In response, the female lead compares herself to a lotus blooming upon seeing the rising sun of her beloved king.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

“Moondru tamil thondriyathum unnidamo”

Comparing the heroine's graceful existence and virtues to the origin of the three divisions of Tamil language (Iyal, Isai, Nadagam).

Allusion (Ilakkiya Kurippu)

“Nee moovendhar vazhi vantha mannavano”

Refers to the ancient royal dynasties of Tamil Nadu (Chera, Chola, Pandya) known together as 'Moovendhar'.

Personification and Hyperbole

“Naangu gunam saernthathum orr pennidamo Adhu nadai pazhagi vanthathenna ennidamo”

Personifies the four traditional womanly virtues (Acham, Madam, Naanam, Payirppu) as taking physical form and walking toward him.

Simile (Upamai)

“Kadhir polae naan kandaen mannan mugam Adhan oliyaalae malarum Naan sengamalam”

Compares the beloved's radiant face to the sun rays ('Kadhir polae') and the heroine's heart/face blooming like a red lotus ('sengamalam').

Metaphor (Metaphorical Imagery)

“Ila nagaithaan nee ezhuthum sirukathaiyo Adhan idai thondrum naanamthaan munnuraiyo”

Compares romantic courtship and interactions to literary elements like a short story ('sirukathai'), preface ('munnurai'), and serial novel ('thodarkathai').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Pillaiyo Pillai' (1972) starred M. K. Muthu (son of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi) in his debut role. The lyrics by Vaali are rich in classical Tamil imagery, intentionally crafted to reflect classical literary heritage while maintaining a melodious, accessible romantic tune composed by M. S. Viswanathan.

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